Social work education and family in Latin America: a case study

Abstract

The chapter develops a comparative analysis of three social work programs applied in three Latin-American countries, to answer the question whether these programs do or do not include teaching about families in a way that students are prepared for, enabling clients to challenge and transcend oppressions that disempower them (Dominelli 2002). To attain that goal, we identified three key dimensions that help students in achieving a comprehensive sociopolitical and integrated analysis about familial contexts, and constitute basic content in social work programs that should provide 1) acknowledgement of social and demographic changes, 2) a critical approach to social policies our states are adopting, and 3) a dialogue with vulnerable and marginalised families about their needs and the challenges they experience. Through analysis of each case and cross-case analysis, we answer the question guiding the study and propose some future challenges.